The couple announced their engagement in July 2025 after Darnold proposed on a beach in Dana Point, California. Katie later confirmed the marriage on social media, sharing a photo of her wedding ring and the lighthearted caption that she now has a husband.
In the post-wedding interview, Katie reflected on how the couple met and what the big day represented. She explained they were introduced by a mutual friend at a bar in Charlotte, North Carolina, where both were living at the time, and noted that she was surprised by the proposal even though it had been expected.
Katie and Sam prioritized a guest experience, aiming for about 235 attendees, and chose a Friday wedding to extend the celebration into a weekend. San Diego served as the destination for many guests, giving friends and family the chance to travel and spend time together before and after the ceremony.
A key personal touch for the couple was doing their vows twice: once over coffee before the day began and again at the ceremony in front of their guests. Katie also shared that her wedding dress was bought off the rack from Anthropologie, with minimal alterations due to the tight planning window.
The couple’s approach emphasized accessibility and togetherness, offering a weekend-long celebration that allowed guests to decompress by the pool on Saturday and enjoy time with friends and teammates in a relaxed setting.
